By Benson Daniel
All On and Energise Africa have committed a combined $4 million investment to develop and deploy solar powered mini grids across 19 underserved communities in Jigawa and Bauchi States.
The project is expected to provide reliable and sustainable electricity to nearly 100,000 people, including households, businesses, schools, health facilities and other public institutions currently without dependable access to power.
The initiative is being implemented under the Demand Aggregation for Renewable Energy Technology Programme, known as DART, and will be executed by Maskh Nigeria Limited, an indigenous company with expertise in renewable energy, construction, engineering, electrification and procurement.
The investment is aimed at expanding decentralised renewable energy infrastructure in communities where access to conventional electricity remains limited or unreliable.
Chief Executive Officer of All On, Caroline Eboumbou, said the project would provide more than electricity access, noting that reliable power could help stimulate economic activities and improve the delivery of essential services within beneficiary communities.
She said the deployment of solar powered mini grids would extend electricity to homes, schools, health facilities and small businesses while creating opportunities for productive use of energy and strengthening local economies.
The investment is also expected to reduce the dependence of households and businesses on traditional energy alternatives while supporting Nigeria’s broader transition towards cleaner and decentralised energy solutions.
The Chief Executive Officer of Energise Africa, Ray Coyle, said the project demonstrated how renewable energy investment could generate lasting social, economic and environmental benefits.
He said the deployment of clean and reliable electricity across the 19 communities would support thousands of Nigerians while contributing to sustainable development.
For Maskh Nigeria, the project represents an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of indigenous companies operating within Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.
The company’s Director of Operations, Qaim Mahmood, said the firm was proud to be entrusted with the implementation of the mini grid projects and expressed confidence in their potential to transform the beneficiary communities.
He said the investment would help businesses thrive, improve access to essential services and create opportunities for young people while strengthening the company’s capacity and creating jobs.
The project is expected to contribute to economic activities in the beneficiary communities by providing businesses with more dependable electricity for productive operations.
Improved power supply is also expected to support education and healthcare delivery, particularly in communities where unreliable electricity has continued to affect access to essential services.
The initiative comes amid growing efforts to expand Nigeria’s off grid electricity sector as the country seeks to address its persistent power supply challenges through renewable energy and decentralised solutions.
With nearly 100,000 people expected to benefit, the 19 mini grids are expected to strengthen electricity access in Jigawa and Bauchi while demonstrating the potential of private investment to support Nigeria’s energy transition.
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